The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) is calling on all bee farmers to contact their nearest Biosecurity office to participate in the nationwide survey on American Foulbrood (AFB) Disease is currently being conducted by the Authority.
The AFB is a highly contagious disease among the bee population that can lead to destruction of honeybee colonies and honey production and thus serious economic loss.
It’s not a threat to humans.
BAF Executive Chairman Mr Xavier Riyaz Khan said the survey on AFB is the Government’s effort to ascertain the status of the disease in Fiji and will help in management and control.
The Biosecurity Officers and the veterinarians will visit the farms to conduct inspection and detect if AFB is present on the farms.
“Inspection of bee hives will also not only help in early detection of the AFB and minimize the damages caused to infected farms but it will help prevent the spread AFB to non-infected bee farms”, Mr Khan said.
AFB can spread quickly within an infected bee colony and also can be easily transmitted to healthy colonies.
BAF has purchased AFB diagnostic test kits to help conduct the testing and inspections.
BAF is urging the bee farmers to cooperate and assist the Biosecurity team with the AFB survey as the results of the survey will help in managing and controlling the disease.
Press Release